Making Your New Home Work for You

by Lauren Busser, Direct from the Designers™’ Editorial Director

After you have built your home and you’ve started to think about finishes and fixtures, you may find yourself running close to your budget ceiling. Fear not—there are ways to make your money go further in your new home while still having beautiful, durable surfaces. Whether you are looking for timeless looks that will last a lifetime or simply wondering where you should splurge, we've gathered some great design tips that will help save you money.

Make a List

When you shop for appliances, the same rules apply as if you were shopping for groceries. Take some time to think about the appliances you need and the features you want so you can make a list and stick to it. Doing so will help you keep your budget under control and make sure you get the features you really want and need.

Go for Subway Tile

For your kitchen backsplash, you might want to go for custom handpainted tiles, but a great alternative is subway tiles. This timeless design provides a stylish, modern look while also invoking a bit of vintage flair. Since they are a such a classic look and come in a wide variety of stock colors, you can add a truly personal touch to your home without the large price tag of a custom job.

Take a Good Look at Laminate

If you want the look of hardwood flooring in your home, laminate floors are a great way to get it and still keep to your budget. Laminate floors are durable, versatile, and naturally resistant to bacteria and mold. On top of this, laminate can stand up to wear that may damage wood floors and it is also easy to install.

Creative Countertops

Many homeowners automatically assume a granite countertop is best, but it carries a hefty price tag along with its amazing looks. There are a lot of other creative countertop options you can pursue that won’t break the bank. Wood butcher block countertops are great for invoking a rustic, country farmhouse feel, and quartz countertops can look remarkably like granite, but with the benefits of lower cost and better durability.

Don’t Skimp on Lighting

Lighting is essential to your home’s design. After all, why would you spend all this effort decorating if no one is going to see the results? If you are trying to get the most from your lighting dollar, you may want to consider fixtures that perform multiple functions. A typical room lighting design involves an ambient layer, a task layer, a focal layer, and a decorative layer, but you can sometimes find fixtures that perform a couple of these functions at once.

Know When to Splurge

When you are making a budget for materials in your home, allow yourself a few spaces to splurge on things you will really love and use often. Whether it is a fantastic floor, beautiful paint, or extravagant lighting fixtures, spending money on something you truly enjoy and will see or use many times a day for several years is always a worthwhile investment.

Consider the Long Term

When you are picking out fixtures such as faucets, showerheads, toilets, and lighting, you should consider the long term savings that might be associated with the product. Installing a dimmer, for example, can save you money over the years. The same is true when it comes to installing LED lights, ENERGY STAR® appliances, or water-efficient faucets and fixtures.

When it comes to selecting finishes for your dream home, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available. The real key when it comes to staying within your budget is deciding what is most important to you. Let yourself make allowances for the things you really want and then make conservative decisions somewhere else.